Ocean freight forwarding becomes an obvious choice when a business endeavor requires a significant lead time. It offers many advantages over other shipping methods, including reduced cost, reliability, and low carbon footprint. Here are just a few of these advantages. The following paragraphs will discuss the other advantages and disadvantages of this method. But, ultimately, the choice is up to you. Read on to learn more about the many benefits of ocean freight forwarding.
Cost
The cost of ocean freight forwarding is not a simple figure to calculate. The amount depends on various factors, including the shipping company's price, wharfage, and shipment volume, measured in cubic feet. Additionally, the ocean fuel surcharge is applied to help offset fluctuating fuel costs. Many companies that specialize in shipping commodities worldwide use ocean freight services to transport their products, but shippers should also understand the costs of these services. If they do not, they may end up paying huge fees.
Carbon Footprint
Whether you are shipping a small parcel or a large cargo shipment overseas, choosing the correct shipping method depends on various factors, including the amount of cargo and the time it takes. However, it would help if you also considered the environmental impact of ocean freight forwarding, which is significantly less than the carbon footprint of air freight. Long-haul air freight produces 47 times more greenhouse gases per ton-mile than ocean freight, which is why it's so important to choose shipping methods that reduce the carbon footprint of your shipping processes.
Reliability
According to Sea-Intelligence's latest report, global schedule reliability has declined for the fifth consecutive month in November. Although the number of ships arriving late has fallen, it remains low compared to the previous month. The average vessel arrival time was more than seven days late, far below the industry norm of ten days. According to the report, Port congestion and weather are also factors in reducing schedule reliability.
Volume
Ocean freight forwarding is a great way to move large amounts of goods across the globe without worrying about high transportation costs. While there are some drawbacks to this mode of transport, it's less expensive than air or road transportation. There are various factors to consider when shipping items internationally, including cost, time, security, distance coverage, and impact on the environment. Airfreight or couriers are more effective for those who need to send a relatively small amount of goods. The price of sea freight is also significantly lower than air or road transport.
Speed
When it comes to speeding up the shipping of your goods, ocean freight forwarders are a godsend. They not only streamline shipping processes but also make them remarkably affordable. Whether shipping a single item or an entire fleet, these companies provide reliable, door-to-door, and port-to-port services. The critical factor in freight charges is fuel. The higher the oil price, the higher the rate, and so the sooner you book your ocean freight, the cheaper your costs will be.
